combust

American  

[kuhm-buhst] / kəmˈbʌst /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to burn.

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combust British  

/ kəmˈbʌst /

adjective

1. astrology (of a star or planet) invisible for a period between 24 and 30 days each year due to its proximity to the sun

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verb

1. chem to burn

Etymology

Origin of combust

1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )

Example Sentences

But they have downsides—costly materials, a China-dominated supply chain that concerns Western governments and a tendency to combust if you’re not careful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

But here's the kicker - Sabalenka's tendency to combust at a critical juncture means only three of those have resulted in titles.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

"Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation, however, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product," he said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2024

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the tennis drama stars Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor as longtime friends whose relationships combust on and off the court.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

The elders say that eating dog meat increases body heat, thus increasing energy, but you shouldn’t eat too much of it or your body will burn up and combust.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung